November 15 , 2002, #3

Let's Walk & Roll

Reviewing Safety Rules

We thought it would be good to review ten facts from the California Vehicle Code (CVC). These are rules that we all need to remember.

1. What is a crosswalk? Many people mistakenly assume that a crosswalk exists only where there are lines painted on the street. In fact, crosswalks exist at all corners where streets intersect at approximately right angles as the extension of the sidewalk across the street. Crosswalks also exist or places where they are marked on the road. (CVC 275)

2. Who has the right-of-way at a crosswalk? Vehicle drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the road within a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked. The pedestrian is always responsible for using due care for his or her safety and may not step in front of a vehicle that does not have time to stop. (CVC 21950)

3. Do I have to stop if the car in another lane has stopped at a crosswalk? Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) to permit a pedestrian to cross the road, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear must not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. (CVC 21951)

4. What is jaywalking? When a pedestrian crosses a road between intersections controlled by traffic-control signals or by police officers, this is considered jaywalking. It is not jaywalking to cross the street mid-block if there are not lights on both ends of the block; however, the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way in this instance. (CVC 21954 and 21955)

5. Can I park across or on a sidewalk? Blocking the sidewalk, whether by parking or stopping, is not allowed. (CVC 22500 (f))

6. Do bicyclists have to follow the same rules as cars? Every person riding a bicycle has the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a vehicle does. This includes stopping for pedestrians, obeying traffic signals, riding in the direction of traffic, and not speeding. (CVC 21200)

7. How much of the lane can a cyclist use? Cyclists should ride as close as is safe and practicable to the right-hand curb. When necessary, to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to ride on the right (including lane widths that are too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side), cyclists may use the whole lane. (CVC 21202).

8. Do I have to have a light on my bike at night? At night, all bikes must be outfitted with a white light that is visible at least 300 feet in front of the bike, a red reflector on the rear, and a white or yellow reflector on each pedal. (CVC 21201)

9. Can I stop my vehicle in a bike lane while I run in to get a cup of coffee? It is illegal to stop or park in a bike lane. (CVC 21211 (b))

10. Reminder: Just because you have the right-of-way (as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist), your first responsibility is the safety of everyone around you, including yourself. Don’t step in front of cars before they have stopped. Don’t weave in and out of traffic and on and off the sidewalks on your bike. And always stop when you see someone waiting to cross at a crosswalk. The extra 10 seconds it takes you isn’t going to kill anyone.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

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